Potential dog owners that cannot tolerate the yucky drool of dogs have better stir clear of Basset Hounds, Saint Bernards and Bullmastiffs as these dogs are notorious droolers. These dogs cannot contain the enzyme rich saliva in their mouth because of the short snout and the loose pendulous skin of the mouth. Due to excessive drooling, owners of these dogs would have to tie a bandana around the dog’s neck or have an ample supply of paper towels ready to avoid disaster.

Drooling, especially for dog breeds with short snout and loose skin around the jaws is not an abnormality. Dogs are food motivated thus at the sight and aroma of food, the saliva would drip. But if the dog is not short snouted, does not have loose skin folds on the mouth and normally is not a slobbering breed, the owner must be concerned if the dog suddenly becomes a dripper.

Drooling is a normal behavior of dogs but pet owners should be concerned if the non-drooling dog starts to drool excessively as the dog can be dehydrated. A situation that would have a psychological impact on the dog can trigger excessive drooling. Excessive salivation can be the dog’s nervous reaction to loud sounds like the sound of thunder or the sound of fireworks. Travelling in cars can make the dog nauseous thus aside from vomiting the dog may also drool excessively. Dogs are inclined to put anything in their mouths and because of indiscriminate eating habits, it would not be uncommon for dogs to ingest poisonous substances. Poison can cause nausea, vomiting and drooling.

Drooling can be a symptom of some health concerns. The life threatening twisting of the stomach that traps the air and the contents of the stomach is called bloat (Gastric dilatation volvulus. This condition is one of the reasons why the dog would salivate excessively. Ear and urinary tract infections, rabies, liver diseases are common causes for the drooling of the dog. However if it is apparent that the dog’s salivation is not caused by the above mentioned situations, a dog owner has better open and examine the mouth of the pet.

Excessive salivation can be caused by a cracked tooth, an infected gum or other periodontal diseases. Dogs are curious by nature and as they don’t have hand, the mouth is used to investigate their environment. The dog may have been gnawing wood and a splinter may get stuck between the teeth or may be stuck on the gums or on the soft tissues of the mouth. The pain and the discomfort will make the dog drool.